Know Your Enemy

Who will save the Indian Army?

It's a question that has begun to make my head hurt. It isn't a lazy rhetorical question either. And it's a question I suspect (or at least hope) disturbs a lot of people in this country. Because if there's one thing that's certain in this inclement, hateful time, it is this: the Indian Army needs saving. And fast. Nothing can be worse than a country desensitized to the idea of instability and tumult in the Army. The end begins when citizens expect little more than bad news from the barracks or South Block.

Well, I hate to do this, but there's actually some worse news: Of those who have the power to fix the Army, who hold offices that put them in a position to actually do something to recover from a dangerous situation, there is nobody (at least nobody I can think of) who inspires a splinter of confidence. Here they are, and here's why I think they can't:

First, Defence Minister A.K.Antony. As the principal antagonist in the unfinishing face-off with Chief of Army Staff General Vijay Kumar Singh over his age and tenure, he has demonstrated, with resounding consistency, that he probably doesn't have (a) the necessary proficiency and judgement to actually salvage such a festering situation, and (b) the very willingness to accept -- until it is clearly way to late -- that there is a problem. The age row stands as a glittering example of this unfortunate ineptitude. Unfortunate, because Mr Antony isn't by any stretch a bad man. Just that he almost definitely doesn't have what it takes to fix the collateral victim of this very personal war: the Indian Army itself.

Second, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. As someone who was drawn into the Antony-General face-off by a letter that the Chief addressed directly to him, bypassing the Defence Minister, he cannot say he was wasn't part of the discourse or that there wasn't an opportunity for him to intervene and ensure a settlement. His refusal (or failure) to recognise a desperately ominous situation doesn't say much about his abilities to fix things. The person who has the power to fix the Army needs to be proactive, nimble and the resilient enough to (a) recognise that there is a problem, and (b) work through it. Dr Singh doesn't fit.

Third, Sonia Gandhi. Several armed forces chiefs have had an equation with the UPA chairperson, including two former Chiefs from the Army and Navy. Somehow, it doesn't look like the Army is, or ever will be, a priority. She could certainly ensure that the two people named above get off their chairs and actually chase down a solution, but she's got way too much else on her mind. So no chance.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the man who will lead the Army from the afternoon of May 31, Lt Gen Bikram Singh, takes office in the most unhappy of circumstances for civil-military relations. The general will be perceived to be an establishment man, as someone who the government ensured becomes Chief despite a massive age row campaign that would have put him out of the reckoning if the government had lost the age case in Supreme Court. Going simply by human nature, therefore, he has no reason to rock the boat -- indeed, there may be an element of gratitude in his approach to his duties. And since anyone who wishes to save the Indian Army needs to be fearless of confrontation and friction, it is unlikely that Bikram Singh will have any incentive to go out on a limb to do anything dramatic or revolutionary. Of course, I may be completely wrong -- and to be fair, few people know Lt Gen Bikram Singh well -- but let's just say that if he did manage to fix the Army in his circumstances, or even try, the country should be seriously surprised.

The bureaucracy? Good one! It's too busy being chuffed about cutting the Army chief to size in the age row, and will perhaps therefore be even more condescending and difficult in future dealings. The chances of the MoD bureaucracy driving change are never promising even at in good times. (A notable exception is the Ajai Vikram Singh Committee report that gave the Army a younger profile and more efficient promotion system, but the former Defence Secretary only headed the committee -- it was largely driven by the Army itself.)

Ergo, nobody.

I don't have a solution to offer. And I can't think of anyone who does. And I can't think of anything worse for the Army. I hope someone does.

As government is by the people & both government and army are for the people , it is our request that mr.ANTONY AND V K SINGH Both should be put behind bars immediately ,if v k sigh being the cheif army goes this cheap he should definitely be counted as an enemy of our country. mr.Antony being the defence minister failed to do his duties , so he has no right to sit on the chair. 2 years back if he had put singh in the jail we the people would have appreciated his act . We are not bothered about congress & BJP , it is the matter of our country so the people's demand should be satisfied. thank you Headlines Today for your wonderful coverage.

hilda

Aundh,pune

March 26, 2012

Mr.Shiv Aroor must change his article in this space keeping in view the new developments.

Murthy

Secunderabad

March 26, 2012

I write as en Ex Army officer of the Indian Army who is extremely frustrated at seeing the huge mismanagement of the country by the politicians of India. The present environment, political and bureaucratic, has the makings of a potential military coup. My heart wishes obliquely that it happens and ends our misery at the hands of the politicians. It has been impossible so far because the Indian Army had been treated with more dignity and respect. Now the defence budget has been cut, Chief Of Army Staff has been pushed to seek justice in the Supreme Court, Army does not have ammunition to fight beyond three days, defence contracts for urgent needs take decades even to take up and more decades to decide, food served to the troops is unfit for human consumption, sub standard and out of date equipment and arms are being thrust down the throats of the Army to encourage manufacturing in India and the morale of the officers and soldiers is the lowest ever. The leadership, beside being incompetent is extremely corrupt; it keeps funnelling money into Air India and other failed government run operations in different fields. They can not even spare money for the national emergencies from their loot. The economic wizards like Montek Singh and PM Manmohan Singh miscalculated the amount for subsidies where as ordinary readers have been urging them in their letters to count their money before committing it. Amounts mentioned for different projects were always mind-boggling. IAS officers and Army Generals are being hounded for much smaller offences and made examples of where as the politicians are having a field day looting from the poor man of India. Wake up India! You are sliding, fast.

Surinder Jeet

USA

March 16, 2012

The biggest enemy of India today is ..Chalta Hai attitude

Ne Rt

Delhi

March 16, 2012

As the saying goes that you can take the horse to the pond but you can't make it drink till the time it wants to, same is the case with India today. If the politicians and bureaucrats are willing for a change then only can there be a change in the system. Unfortunately for there own selfish gains the Govt. has ensured that the leadership in the military forces is weak and by those who can act as per the govt. will without any opposition. Thus it is a direct reflection of our external policies and stance projected to other hostile nations, as the govt. itself is not confident in the leadership of the defence forces but they have created to be weak. A synergy between the various govt. organisation would be detrimental to the political class thus they nurture the divide among the defence, administration and judiciary. Finally in a democracy its the political class which rule and it is up to them whether they want to choose a path of progress or destruction of the country.

rajat

bangalore

March 13, 2012

The young officers are today more exposed to the outside world. They are surely comparing the prestiage, facilities and undertable money enjoyed by the civil servants. Now it is time to have only one kind of officers cadre for All India services including armed forces. Ensure that all officers recruited for All India Services will undergo the same common training and have a proper career plan. We all should demand for it, so that the exploitation by selfish Politicians and Civil Servants of this country are controlled.

Murthy

Secunderabad

March 12, 2012

I joined army 8 years back. When I joined I had dozens of dreams and aspirations like any other young officer. I cant say that my zeal has died down today but I am certain that i have started realising the "REAL" army. an army which is like a mad race. where u just got to keep your head down, where "courage of conviction" has lost its meaning, where at the end of the day we all do only what our boss feels is correct, whether morally correct or otherwise. Very senior officers love to have a VIP like treatment all the time. I have seen entire formation being employed in marriage of senior officers sons and daughters..they are highly paid but behave like beggers. I feel ashamed that i serve under such people..I feel ashamed that such people take decisions for me. god, when will i complete my 20 years...!

soldier

battlefield

March 11, 2012

Dear Mr. Aroor,

The enemy can be defeated through democracy. However citizens as whole should be aware and proactive. Following are my recommendations

The defense minister must be forthcoming in his responsibilities. He must let the citizens know about steps taken to prevent encroachments in defense landholding, arms procurement, modernization processes, ways of making defense lucrative job option .The political controversies which the Army incurs should be first faced by him. There must be accountability.

The PM must let citizens know about what steps have been taken by government to improve our defence forces.

Sonia Gandhi’s interference would result in politicization of Army.

The Army chief would have to be assertive. He would have to demand more autonomy for Army and ask for less interference of South block. If there can be confidence in our soldiers to fight a war, why not confidence in matters related to war.

Top Officers would have to decide, to serve seniors and get instant benefits or serve the nation which might or may not get acknowledged.

Finally, we often look to institutions in adversities but leave them during their time of need. Would we do the same with Indian Army?

Piyush

Gurgaon

March 10, 2012

It is my gut feeling that, the officers of the army will over a period of time evolve into a majority, with an abiding sense of conviction. These officers will not be consumed by materialism and ambitiousness, but instead be driven by character than ill gotten success. It will be bottom up, than top down. Yes,it will not be in the immediate future, but sometime later. The answer is - The Army's emerging middle rung leadership. I, hope so!

Brigadier (retd) Sarvesh Dangwal

Dehra Dun

sddangwal@gmail.com

March 09, 2012

The Congress will pay the price for all its deeds.

Murthy

Secunderabad

March 09, 2012

Shiv,

I quit the army 6 years back as at my stage of service and rank (Brig) I could see the petty politicking and one-upmanship which was driving our senior officers. There is a certain need to end it and get the army back on even keel. We need our parliamenterians who should drive this. No NOT any one party but the whole lot. The Army will not change as its leadership has come up within this scenario and they would like it to continue. We need sagacious thoughtful far reaching improvements to be now thrust down the Army by genuine patriotic thinkiung people who I am certain are there in our Parliament albeit in few numbers. And for god sake Keep out the bureacrats even to make the minutes of the various meetings...they would only put spokes as they too would like the present arrangement to continue.

Suresh Nair

Trivandrum

sureshnair99@rediffmail.com

March 09, 2012

Very well written article, the author has a terrific insight into the reality and have a balanced overview of the situation.

The sad part is everyone is so selfish, that they are willing to downgrade the very institution which protects them, and brand then as the enemy of the state. Soon when the army starts failing in its task, it is assigned for, this country will get a hard kick. However, the people mentioned in the article, except the Army chief will there be still standing trying to hold everyone's pants, were as the rest would have fled.

Gautam Thapar

New Delhi

gutts_thapar@yahoo.com

March 09, 2012

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In a world where history is always the enemy, it's a good idea to fear the worst. Know Your Enemy gives you a dark, portentous sense of that vague concept, we collectively call the future. And why the globalised world without walls is a failed ideal.

Shiv Aroor is defence correspondent at Headlines Today, and has made it his job to know enemies of all kinds. The ones that wage war on the country, the ones that murder justice, and also the ones that print lies on our tubes of toothpaste.